How to Say Goodbye in Russian: До свидания and More
Saying goodbye in Russian has the same idea as hello: choose formal or informal depending on who you're talking to. Like greetings, knowing the right register is a fundamental CEFR A1 skill.
- The main formal and informal Russian goodbyes
- When to use до свидания, пока, and до встречи
- Short example dialogues with farewells
- Quick reference table for choosing the right goodbye
The Main Goodbyes
Use до свидания (do svidaniya) in formal settings and пока (poka) with friends. До свидания literally means "until the next meeting" and is always a safe, polite choice.
До свидания (do svidaniya) — Goodbye (formal)
- The standard formal farewell. Use with strangers, older people, bosses, teachers.
- Literally "until (the next) meeting."
- Pronunciation: da svee-DA-nee-ye (stress on the я syllable).
Пока (poka) — Bye (informal)
- Casual, for friends, family, and people you call "ты."
- Pronunciation: pa-KA.
- Very common in everyday speech.
Want to practice Russian farewells and everyday phrases with a native speaker? Book a free trial and build your confidence in real conversations.
До встречи (do vstrechi) — Until we meet / See you
- Neutral to slightly formal. Literally "until (our) meeting."
- Good for colleagues, acquaintances, or when you expect to see the person again.
До завтра (do zavtra) — See you tomorrow
- Use when you plan to meet the next day.
- До понедельника (do ponedel'nika) — See you Monday. (Same pattern with other days.)
Всего хорошего (vsego khoroshego) — All the best
- Polite, a bit more formal. Often used at the end of a phone call or when parting for a longer time.
Quick Reference
| Situation | Say |
|---|---|
| Formal | До свидания |
| Informal, friends | Пока |
| Neutral / "see you" | До встречи |
| See you tomorrow | До завтра |
Choosing between formal and informal farewells becomes second nature with practice. Try our Russian lessons and practise natural conversations — including greetings and goodbyes — with a native teacher.
Short Dialogues
- — До свидания! — До свидания! — Goodbye! — Goodbye!
- — Пока! — Пока! — Bye! — Bye!
- — Спасибо за помощь. До встречи! — Пожалуйста, до встречи! — Thanks for your help. See you! — You're welcome, see you!
Pair your goodbyes with the right greeting — see how to say hello in Russian. For a deeper dive into when to use formal vs casual language, check out formal and informal Russian. Planning a trip? Our best Russian phrases for travel covers farewells and much more.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between до свидания and пока?
До свидания is formal and polite — use it with strangers, at work, or with anyone you address as "вы." Пока is informal and casual, like saying "bye" in English — use it with friends and family. Mixing them up isn't a grammar mistake, but it signals the wrong register at CEFR A1 level.
Can I say чао in Russian?
Yes! Чао (from Italian "ciao") is used informally in Russian, especially among younger speakers. It's casual and friendly — treat it like пока. Don't use it in formal situations.
How do I say "see you later" in Russian?
До встречи (do vstrechi) means "until we meet" and works as a natural "see you later." For a specific time, use до завтра (see you tomorrow), до вечера (see you tonight), or до понедельника (see you Monday).
Practice Goodbyes in Real Conversations
Using the right goodbye comes naturally when you practice with native speakers. Explore our Russian lessons — we use greetings and farewells in every class so you can practise до свидания and пока with a teacher.